Loading machine



R. S. BIG ELOW LOADING MACHINE March 10, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledSept. 1, 1944 W. Y m W V b? m e 7 T. w w m YN f li: A & Q w g V .1 r. V

March 10, 1953 R. s. BIGELOW 2,530,902

LOADING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 10, 1953 -R.s. BIGELOW 0,

LOADING MACHINE March 10, 1953 RS. BIGELOW 2,630,902

LOADING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1944 '8 Sheets-Sheet 4 VTENTOR ATTORNEYMarch 10, 1953 R. s. BIGELOW LOADING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1944 8Sheets-Sheet 5 March 10, 1953 I R. S. BIGELQW LOADING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 1, 1944 Nww. 31 R NN MM lllil l IIL m3 Rm R.5. BIG ELOW March 10, 1953 4 LOADING MACHINE 8 SheetsSheet 7 Filed Sept.1, 1944 Kay 12 g /41 'rom a=r oeooeooooe Patented Mar. 10, 1953 TENTOFFICE LOADING MAGHINE Roy S Bigelow, Chicago, 111., assignor to GoodmanManufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Illinois Application September 1, 1944, Serial No.552,243

21 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvement in loading machines and moreparticularly to an improved form of loading machine adapted to load coalonto a shaker conveyer trough line in thin seams of coal.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide av loading machineof a low overall height, which is relatively light in proportion to itsloading capacity and which is so arranged as to load directly onto theinby end. of a shaker conveyer.

A more specific object of my invention i to provide a self-propelledloading machine operatin against a fixed reaction member arranged totake the thrusting loads thereof during loading, to enable the weight ofthe machine to be reduced over former loading machines of the samegeneral type, and having an extensible conveyer with means for extendingthe conveyer by power against said fixed reaction member, to feed thegathering head into the material it is desired to load.

Another object of my invention is to provide a self-propelled loading,machine pivotally connected adjacent its rear end to a. stationary baseforming a mounting for a swivel connected with the inby end of a shakerconveyer trough line, for holding the loading machine for lateralmovement about the axis of the swivel, and

forming av reaction means for the loading machine,- during feeding ofthe gathering head into the material it is desired to load, whichloading machine is so arranged as to have a conveyer trough of theshaker conveyer trough line slidably guided therein, so it may loadmaterial directly onto said trough,

A still further. object of my invention is to provide. a rubber tiremounted loading machine having front steering and propelling wheels. andrear caster mounted supporting wheels, for supporting and propelling themachine in a forward or return direction, with means for positioning thesteering and propelling wheels to swing the. machinelaterally, to;position the gathering element for picking up material to either side ofthe center line of the machine.

Other objects of myinvention will appear from time to time as thefollowing specification proceeds' and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of a loading machine constructed inaccordance with my invention. showing the machine pivotally connect- 2ed at its rear end to the swivel of; a shaker can veyer trough line;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the loading machine shown inFigure 1, drawn to a slightly larger scale than Figure 1 and showing themachine in a retracted position;

Figure 3 is a view drawn to substantially the same scale as Figure 2,but showing the machine in an extended position;

Figure 4 is a View in side elevation of the machine, showing the machinein a retracted position but extended along the means for connecting itto the swivel of the shaker conveyer trough line;

Figure 5' is an enlarged, detail fragmentary plan view of the forwardportion of the machine shown in Figure 1, with certain parts broken awayand certain other parts shown in horizontal section;

Figure 6v is a detail fragmentary plan view or the rear part of themachine, drawn to the same scale as Figure 5, with certain parts brokenaway and certain other parts shown in horizontal section;

Figure 7. is a detail fragmentary view in side elevation of the forwardpart of the machine, drawn to the same scale as Figure 5, with certainparts shown in longitudinal section;

Figure 8 is a detail fragmentary View in side elevation of the centralpart of the machine, with certain parts broken away and certain otherparts shown in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 9 is a detail fragmentary view of the rear part of the machine;with certain parts broken away andv certain other parts shown inlongitudinal section, showing certain detail of the connection of themachine to the conveyer troughv line swivel;

Figure 10; is an enlarged sectionalview taken substantially along line18-40 of. Figure 6 Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional viewtaken substantially along line ll-llof Figure; 6;

Figure la is an; enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation, showingcertain details of. the friction grip block arrangement for holding theloading machine in fixed relation with respect to the swivel, or forpermitting advancing or re tractible movement of said loading machinewith respect to said swivel;

Figure 13 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantiallyalong line tt-.-ll3 of Figure 5;

Figure 14. is a top plan view of one of the propelling and steeringwheels, with certain parts shown in horizontal section, showing certaindetails of the support and the drive therefor;

Figure 15 is a transverse sectiona1 View taken substantially along line15-15 of Figure 7, showing certain details of the drive to the gatheringmechanism;

Figure 16 is an enlarged detail partial fragmentary transverse sectionalview taken along line lE-lt of Figure 6, in order to show certaindetails of construction of the telescoping conveyer framework; and

Figure 1'7 is an enlarged detail partial transverse sectional view takenalong line l'lfl of Figure and showing certain details of constructionof the telescoping sections of the conveyor, not shown in Figure 16.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the embodimentof my invention illustrated therein includes generally a face loadingmachine H! mounted on front rubber tired steering and propelling wheelsH, ii and rear supporting caster wheels l2, l2, and including anextensible conveyer l5 with a gathering head i l at its forward end.Said gathering head may be fed into the material it is desired to loadby extensible movement of said conveyer, while the loading machinereacts against a stationary base [6.

The rear end of the loading machine is pivotally connected to thestationary base it by means of a link H, pivotally connected adjacentits rear end to said base, for movement about a vertical axis andadjustably connected with the loading machine, so said loading machinemay be extensibly and retractibly moved along said link, and so saidlink may hold said loading machine from backward movement during theloading operation. Said base is held in position on the ground to form areaction member for the machine during the loading operation by means ofjacks l8, l8 adapted to be interposed between said base and the mineroof. Said base forms a mounting for a swivel E9 of a shaker conveyertrough line 28, and has a reciprocating trough 2! communicating with itsreceiving end and extending therefrom. Said reciprocating trough isslidably guided in the loading machine frame for reciprocable movementwith respect thereto, in receiving relation with respect to thedischarge end of the conveyer IS.

The shaker conveyer trough line 23 may be reciprocably driven from asuitable reciprocating drive mechanism at its outby end (not shown), insuch a manner as to cause material to flow along said trough line fromits inby to its outby end, as is well known to those skilled in the art.Said trough line is connected at its inby end to a connecting trough 22of the swivel H! by means of the usual connecting bolts 23, 23 (seeFigure 9).

The connecting trough 22 has a widened and curved forward end, which isadapted to have a cured rear end of a swivel trough 21 nested therein.Said swivel trough has a bearing bos 29 secured thereto and dependingtherefrom, which is journaled in a bearing member 3 l secured to thebottom of said connecting trough. Said connecting trough is secured to abridge member 32 as by rivets. Said bridge member is mounted on an upperframe member 33 of a ball frame 34, for pivotal movement with respectthereto about a transverse axis.

The ball frame 36 is of a well known form and 4 includes a pair oflongitudinally extending, laterally spaced, outwardly facing guides 35,35 secured to the top of the base [8, and a pair of corresponding guides36, 33 connected together by a cross frame 31, and facing said firstmentioned guides (see Figure 10). Said guides 36, 35, with said guides35, 35, form guide races for balls 39, 39, which reciprocably supportthe upper frame 33 of said ball frame on the base plate 16.

The connection between the upper frame of the ball frame 34 and thebridge member 32 includes a pair of laterally spaced forked connectingmembers 40, 30 one of which is secured to the outer side of each guide36. Tongues 4|, 4i depending from opposite sides of said bridge memberare adapted to extend through the furcations of said forked connectingmembers and to be connected thereto by transverse pivotal pins 63, 43.

The reciprocating trough 2! is secured to the forward end of the swiveltrough 2'! by means of the usual connecting bolts at, d5 (see Figure 9).Said reciprocating trough extends forwardly of said swivel trough 27,and is herein shown as being slidably mounted between the wheels of theloading machine on the control link if.

The control link H is herein shown as being in the form of a trough 50,supported to extend beneath the loading machine and pivotally connectedto the base It by means of a pivoted connecting link 5! (see Figures 8,9 and 11). Said trough is rovided with a pair of flanged bearing members58, 56 extending along opposite sides thereof, which are adapted toextend within facing channelled guides 51, 57, extending along oppositesides of a main frame 55 of the loading machine and depending therefrom.Said guides, as herein shown, are formed from facing angles 52, 52secured at the ends of their vertical legs to and depending fromhorizontal plates 58, 58, which are secured to the bottoms of and extendalong side frame members 53, 59 of the frame 55.

The reciprocating trough is nested within and reciprocably supported onthe shouldered portions of the sides of the trough 59 of the controllink 11. The upper ends of the sides of said trough are adapted to abutbearing strips 53, 53, which are mounted on the bottoms of the plates58, 58 and extend therealong, to retain said reciprocating trough 2!within said trough 5G, especially when the loading machine is in anextended position with respect to said trough 2!.

The trough 50 of the link H has a cross frame 66 secured to its rearend, which extends across the bottom thereof and upwardly along oppositesides thereof to a position just beneath the flanged bearing members 56,56. The outer sides of said cross frame are provided with verticallyextending slotted portions 8!, 3| adapted to receive pivot pins 62, 62connected to opposite laterally spaced sides of the connecting link 5|,for connecting said link to the rear end of said trough, for a limitedamount of free pivotal and vertical movement of said trough with respectto said link.

The connecting link El extends rearwardly from its point of pivotal andvertical slidable connection to the rear end of the trough 59 and has arear annular portion 63 journaled on a bearing boss 34 extendingupwardly from the bottom of the base I5, coaxial with the pivotal axisof the swivel trough 27, when said trough is at the central portion ofits stroke. A retaining ring 65, secured to the upper side of saidbearing boss and abutting the top of said annular portion 33, isprovided to retain said link on said bearing boss and to permit saidlink to pivot about the vertical axis of said boss.

A means is provided to connect the trough 59 with the frame 55, which isselectively operable to permit the loading machine to be extended alongsaid trough or to hold said frame and loading machine in fixed relationwith respect to said trough, so the base It may form a fixed reactionmember for the loading machine when extending the gathering head M intothe mate.- rial it is desired to load. Said means, as herein shown,includes a carrier member 58 extending along each side of the frame 55(see Figure. '12). Each of said carrier members has a pair of frictiongrip blocks 67, 61 pivotally mounted therein and adapted to havegripping engagement with the upper and lower sides of the bearing plates5'5, 56.

The lower end of the carrier member 66 is connected to a depending arm59 ofthe frame 55 by means of a yieldable link it. Said yield.- ablelink includes a spring H encircling a rod12 slid-ably mounted in saiddepending. arm. One end of said spring abuts said depending arm. whilethe opposite end of said spring abuts the flange of a flanged sleeve'13, mounted on said rod. A nut E i threaded on said rod is provided tohold said sleeve from forward movement with respect to said rod and topreload said spring. The forward end of said rod is of a forkedconstruction pivotally connected to the lower end of said carrier memberby means of a pivotal pin '15. The spring ii is so loaded that theyieldable link is normally a solid member and will only yield uponoverload conditions of the grip blocks 5?, 6i, to release said gripblocks and to permit the loading machine to move rearwardly along thetrough when the gathering head it engages a solid construction on theground.

The u per end of each carrier member is pivotally connected to the freeend of a piston rod 16 extending from a piston ii, movable within acylinder 1'8. Said cylinder has an ear l9 extending rearwardly from itsrear end, which is interleaved by spaced lugs 89, Si! projectingforwardly from the upper end of the depending, arm 69, and which ispivotally connected thereto. The admission of fluid under pressure tothe piston rod ends of said cylinders will thus move the carrier members(it, 66 into, position to positively engage the grip blocks 6i, 6'! withthe bearing members 55, 55, to cause thecontrol link I I to form a fixedreaction member for the loading machine, releasable upon overloadconditions by the yieldable link it. The admission of fluid underpressure to the opposite ends of said cylinders will release said gripblocks and permit the loading machine to be moved along said link andthe reciprocating trough 2i.

The jacks l8, l8 for holding the base it in a stationary position on theground during the loading operation are herein shown as being hydraulicjacks, each including a cylinder 3% mounted on the base It at its headend and so arranged that fluid under pressure may enter the head endthereof (see Figure 10). A piston 82 movable within said cylinder has apiston rod 83 extensible from the piston rod end of said cylinderthrough suitable packing. The upper portion of said piston rod isthreaded, and has a cylindrical member 84 threaded thereon foradjustment therealong. Said member has a roofengaging shoe 85transversely pivoted to its upper end. A handle 85 is operativelyconnected with the member 84, for turning said member along said pistonrod to bring the roof-engagingshoe 85. into proximity with the mine.roof. Fluid 1111-5.

der pressure is then admitted to. the; head end of said cylinder 8| toengage said shoe with the mine roof and to hold said shoe in engagementtherewith.

Fluid under pressure is. supplied to the cylinders 8 I, 81 by means ofamotor driven fluid pump 81 mounted on the base It and obtaining fluidfrom a fluid storage tank 68, which is also mounted on said base.Suitable control valves (not shown) are provided to control theadmission and release of fluid to said cylinders, and to hold fluidunder pressure in said cylinders.

Thus when the jacks l8, l8 are engaged with the mine roof, to hold thebase It in a stationary position on the mine bottom, said base, besidesforming a, support for the swivel [9, may also form a reaction means forthe loading machine, to take the rearward thrusts of the machine thereonthrough the link H, to permit the gather ing head i l to be readily fedinto the material it is desired to load, and :to permit the fronttraction and steering wheels H, II to swing the loading machinelaterally about the axis of pivotal connection of said link to saidbase.

The frame 55 includes the parallel spaced side frame members. 59, 59which are connected to gether at their lower ends by a bottom plate 89,forming a support for the lower run of an endless chain .88 for theconveyer. Said side frame members are also connected together by abottom plate 99 spaced upwardly from said last mentioned bottom plateand forming a bottom for the conveyer at its discharge end. Said frameforms a supporting guide frame for an extensible frame 9| extensiblymounted within said frame. 55, for extending said conveyer and thegathering head i4 into the material it is desired to load. Saidextensible frame rests on the bottom plate for slidable movementtherealong. Said frame 55 also forms a support for a motor 92 on itsright-hand side when looking towards the forward. end thereof. Saidmotor is supported on a bracket 93 secured to and extending lateraliyfrom the right-hand plate 58 and serves to drive the conveyer l5 (seeFigure 5). A motor 94 isalso mounted on said main frame on a lateralextension 95 of the left-hand plate 58. Said motor is provided to drivea fluid pump 96, for

' supplying fluid under pressure to apply the fric tion grip blocks 61,6'1, to extend the conveyer l5 and to drive and steer the front tractionand steering wheels H, i I (see Figures 1 and 13).

The front traction and steering wheels II, II

are mounted on the frame 55 on a transverse dead axle 91', which ismounted on the bottom of the bottom plate 8d of said frame on alongitudinally extending pivot pin 98, mounted at its ends in anglebrackets 99, 99, secured to and depending from said bottom plate (seeFigure 8). Said angle brackets extend entirely across said bottom plateand form a transversely extending slidable guide for said axle (seeFigure 13). Said wheels are mounted on opposite ends of said axle forsteering on the usual Lemoine pivots having swiveling axles I03, I63extending from swivel brackets H34, H34, which extend along, the upperand lower sides of and are pivotally mounted on upright standards I55,[05 at the ends of said dead axle. Said wheels may be of any suitableheavy duty construction including hubs I06, I06 journaled on saidswiveling axles and having rims NH, Nil detachablymounted thereon (seeFigures 13 and 1.4).

7.. A ring gear I69 having an inwardly extending flanged portion I I9 issecured to an inner flange III of each hub to provide a means fordriving said hub and wheel. Said ring gear is herein shown as beingmeshed with a spur pinion II2 on the outer end of a transverse shaft II3. Said shaft is journaled in a worm and worm gear housing I I4, whichis suitably mounted on a plate II5 projecting inwardly from the swivelbracket I84 of the Lemoine pivot, and mounted thereon. Said shaft andpinions are driven from a worm gear I IT on said shaft, which mesheswith a worm II 8 (see Figure 13). A fluid motor H9 mounted on said plateis provided to drive said worm through a flexible drive connection I26.

A fluid storage tank I 2I is provided on the machine frame to storefluid so it may be supplied under pressure to the motor II9 by means ofthe pump 96. Suitable valves (not shown) also are provided to controlthe passage of fluid to said motor and back to the return. Said controlvalves are not herein shown or described since they form no part of mypresent invention.

Turning of the wheels about the axes of the Lemoine pivots, forsteering, is effected by means of a pair of projecting lever arms I23,I23 secured to and extending angularly inwardly and rearwardly from theswivel brackets I54, I84, and having transversely extending rods I24,I24, pivotally connected to their rear ends by the usual ball and socketconnections (see Figures 5 and 13). Said rods have pistons I25, I25connected to their inner ends, which are mounted in a cylinder I26.Fluid passageways 12?, I27

are provided in opposite ends of said cylinder to admit fluid underpressure therein, to cause the pistons I25, I25 to move to the extremeinner positions in said cylinder shown in Figure 5. Movement of saidpistons inwardly along said cylinder is limited by shouldered portions29, I29 thereof. When the pistons are in this position, fluid underpressure may be held in opposite ends of said cylinder, to cause saidrods and cylinder to act as a unitary tie rod, for turning the wheelsfor steering when transversely moved in one direction or another. An armI30 projects rearwardly from the central portion of said cylinder andhas a drag link IEI pivotally connected thereto by a usual ball andsocket connection. The opposite end of said drag link is pivotallyconnected to a rocking arm I34 by means of a similar ball and socketconnection. Said rocking arm is mounted on the lower end of a verticalshaft I36 and is rocked back and forth, to eflect steering, by means ofa hand Wheel I31 through a usual worm and worm gear steering connection(not shown), mounted in a housing I38, secured to a bracket I39,extending outwardly from the outer side of the left-hand side framemember 59.

The cylinder 128 also has a fluid passageway I48 midway between itsends, to admit fluid under pressure to the head ends of the pistons I25,I25, to cause said pistons to move to the extreme outer ends of saidcylinder, and to be held in such a position by fluid pressure withinsaid cylinder, to pivot the wheels II, M outwardly at substantiallyright angles to the longitudinal axis of the machine, so said wheelsmay; propel the loading machine and gathering element laterally aboutthe bearing boss 54 on the base I6, to position the gathering head I4 toone side or the other of the center of the conveyer trough line, so asto pick up loose material from the in any desired position by theadmission of fluid under pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder andthrough the port I49 intermediate the ends thereof. It should here benoted that when the Wheels II, II are swung to extreme positions, topropel the machine laterally about the swivel I9, that one of the fluidmotors must be reversed so the two wheels will be driven in the properdirection. The reversal of said motors is controlled by suitable valvemechanism, which is not herein shown or described since it is no part ofmy present invention.

The rear caster supporting wheels I2, I2, which support the rear end ofthe machine, are each journaled on a horizontal dead axle II on ballearings I42, I42 (see Figure 11.). Said axle is mounted at its ends in afork I43 journaled at its upper end in the outer end of a laterallyextending bracket I44, on a roller bearing I45. Said bracket is securedto the outer side of the side frame member 59 and extends laterally andupwardly therefrom, to form a vertical pivotal support for said wheel,to permit said wheel to turn about a vertical axis, to conform to thepath of travel of the machine, when said machine is moving in alongitudinal or a lateral direction.

The extensible frame 9I includes a pair of parallel spaced side framemembers I49, I49 having outwardly flared upper sides forming a flaredtrough for the conveyer and connected together adjacent their upper endsby a plate I50 which forms a bottom plate for the upper run of theextensible conveyer I5. Said side frame members are connected togetheradjacent their lower ends by a plate I5I which forms a bottom plate forthe upper run of the lower portion of the conveyer and which slidablyrests on the bottom plate 93 (see Figures I5 and I3). An intermediateplate I52 is also connected between said side frame members and forms asupport plate for the return run of the upper part of the extensibleconveyer. The side frame members I49, Hi9 each has a channelled guideportion I53 extending outwardly from the upper end thereof, which isadapted to be engaged by a gibbed guide I54 extending inwardly from theside frame member 59, to slidably guide said extensible frame in saidside frame member.

The forward ends of the side frame members I49, I55 are connectedtogether by cross braces I55, I56 and by an angular guide shoe I57forming a continuation of the plate I5I and adapted to be engaged by theupper side of the lower run of the conveyor chain, to guide said chainaround a tension idler roller i59 mounted on the gathering head It (seeFigure 7).

A pair of endless chains 68, I69 extending along and mounted on theouter sides of the side frame members 59, 59 and operatively connectedwith the extensible frame 9|, are provided to extensibly or retractiblymove said extensible frame 9| with respect to said frame '55. Saidchains are trained around idler sprockets IGI, iEI mounted adjacent therear ends of said side frame members, on transverse stub shafts I62,I62, mounted on the outer sides of the side frame members 59, 59 andextending outwardly therefrom (see Figure 6). Said endless chains aretrained, at their opposite ends, around drive sprockets I64, I64 on atransverse shaft I65 journaled at its ends in the side frame members 59,59 of the frame 55.

The connection between the extensible frame Y fluid motor through thepump 3%.

SI and the endless chains E66, I66 includes a pair of connecting membersI65, I66 secured to the intermediate plate I52 and extending laterallytherefrom through the Side frame members Hi9 and through longitudinalslots I51, iiii formed in the side frame members 59, 5%! (see Figures 9,11' and i6). Said connecting members are suitably connected to links ofthe endless chains E59, E66, so said chains will move said extensibleframe along the main frame 55, upon movement of said endless chains.

The endless chains I66, I69 are driven from a fluid motor I39 mounted ona platform Ill projecting outwardly from the left-hand forward end ofthe frame '55. Said fluid motor has connection with and forms a meansfor driving a wonn. and worm gear reduction ii I, which in turn hasdrivin connection with the transverse shaft I65 by means of a spur gearreduction I'M. The fluid motor IE5 is a reversible motor so that whenfluid under pressure is admitted to drive said motor in one direction,the frame 5i will be extended along the frame 55 to feed the gatheringelement is into the material it is desired to load, and when fluid underpressure is admitted to drive said motor in a reverse direction, saidextensible frame will be retractibly moved with respect to said frame55, to withdraw said gathering element from the loose material. Fluid issupplied to said The connection from said pump to said motor and thefluid control valves for controlling the admission and release of fluidunder pressure to said fluid motor, are not herein shown or described,since the hydraulic system is no part of my present invention.

The gathering head M is mounted on the forward end of a longitudinallyextending inclined frame I15, which is transversely pivoted to theforward end of the extensible frame Si (see Figures 5 and '7) The upperportion of said inclined frame forms an inclined trough for the inclinedelevating portion of the conveyer i5. Said frame is provided with a pairof rearwardly extending trunnion brackets I'll, IIl trunnioned ontrunnion shafts H9, H9, secured to and projecting laterally from theouter sides of the extensible frame 9!.

The gathering head It, herein shown, is of a well known form of endlesschain gathering head and includes an inclined apron iSil mounted on theforward end of the inclined frame H6 and extending across the front endof the conveyer I5 to the ground. A pair of chain guiding members i8!,:5! having endless chains H 2, l8-2 guided for orbital movementthereabout are mounted on the top side of said apron, as usual, so as toextend along opposite sides of and forwardly of said conveyer. A plrality of gathering arms i183, I 83 are carried by said endless chainsfor picking up material from the ground and moving it along the forwardportion of said apron onto the conveyer.

The endless chains :82, E82 and gathering arms 83, I33 are orbitallydriven about the chain guiding members 18 i, Mi by means of bevel gearreductions I155, 155 driven from opposite ends of a forward idler shaftI86 of the conveyer I5, through chain and sprocket drives i8? 481 (seeFigures 5 and The gathering. head i i and inclined frame I1 6 areelevated or lowered about the trunnion shafts H9, IE9, by means of apair of double-acting fluid pressure cylinders i 88, having piston rods583, 1st extensible therefrom. .Each of said cylinders is provided witha rearwardly projecting car I90 pivotally connected to a connectingmember I9 I, depending from the forward. end of the extensible frame SI.The fre end of said piston rod is pivotally connected to a connectingbracket I92, extending outwardly from the outer side of the frame H6, sothat when fluid under pressure is admitted to the head ends of saidcylinders, the gathering element will be positively raised by power, andwhen fluid under pressure is admitted to the piston rod ends of saidcylinders, said gathering element will be lowered by power.

A pair of compression springs I93, I93 are connected between thedepending connecting memher see and the underside of the apron Iadjacent the upper end thereof, to cushion the fall of said gatheringhead, in cases where pressure might be suddenly relieved from thecylinders I88, I88, and to support the forward end of said gatheringhead in floating engagement with the ground.

The conveyer i5 is herein shown as being a single center strand conveyerhaving a plurality of parallel longitudinally spaced flights I95, I95extending laterally from the endless chain 88. Said chain and flightsare trained from an idler sprocket I 91 on the transverse shaft I86,upwardly along an inclined plate i88, extending between the side wallsof the inclined frame I16. At the upper end of said last mentionedplate, said chain extends along the plate I50, connecting the side framemembers I49, I49 of the extensible frame ti together, to an idlersprocket We on a transverse shaft 23E), journaled at the rear end ofsaid frame ill (see Figures 6, 9 and 11) From said idler sprocket saidconveyer extends towards the forward end of the machine, along the topof the intermediate plate I 52, to and around a drive sprocket ZQI on atransverse drive shaft 282, journaled adjacent its ends in opposite sideframe members 59, 59 of the main frame 55.

The side frame members hi9, I49 of the extensible frame 9| are providedwith longitudinal slots 25%, 2% extending therealong to permit movementof said extensible frame with respect to said drive shaft (see Figures3, 5, 7 and 13). From said drive shaft said chain extends forwardlyalong the bottom plate I5I of the extensible frame 9!, towards the rearend of the machine and along a bottom plate of the frame 55, to andaround an idler sprocket 205 on a shaft 266, journaled at the rear endof the main frame 55 in the side frame members 59, 59. From thence saidchain extends in an upwardly inclined direction, to and along the top ofthe bottnm plate 89 of said main frame, to the forward end of said frameand upwardly beneath the inclined shoe $51, over the tension idler I59,and in a downwardly inclined direction, to and around the idler sprocketIE? on the transverse shaft I86.

The drive shaft 252 and sprocket 20] are driven from the motor 9.2through a worm and worm gear speed. reducer 20%? mounted in a casing2019: secured to the end of the shell of said motor. A chain andsprocket drive indicated generally by reference character 2m and drivenfrom said speed reducer, has drive connection with the outer right-hand.end of said shaft (see Figures 5 and 13).

Thus the conveyor I5 may .be positively extended to extend the gatheringhead It for loading by movement of the chains I60, I60, and may bedriven in all of its extended positions to convey material along themachine frame and discharge it into the reciprocating trough 21 from alow point on the'loading machine. Since the upper portion of theextensible conveyer extends along the upper portion of the extensibleframe 9| and discharges onto the lower portion of said conveyer, whichextends along the lower portion of the stationary frame 55, anddischarges into the reciprocating trough 2!, the dropping of the coalonto the pan line from a high point on the machine is avoided, whichreduces strains on the pan line and reduces breakage of the coal duringloading.

In operation the loading machine is moved into the Working place bymeans of its steering and propelling wheels I I, l I in position so thereciprocating trough 2i of the trough line 213 can be extended beneathsaid loading machine in receiving relation with respect to the conveyor15, and supported and guided'in the trough of the control link I! and sosaid control link I! can be pivotally connected at its rear end to thebase it for the swivel 19. been extended beneath said loading machine,and said control link has been pivotally connected to said base, thejacks l8, l8 are set so as to firmly hold said trough in position on theground. When initially starting the loading operation, the entireloading machine is usually in a retracted position with respect to thereciprocating trough 2i and the grip blocks 67, 6'! may be engaged withthe bearing members 56, 56 of the trough Eli, to hold the loadingmachine from movement along said control link ll. At this time theforward end of the gathering head i should be adjacent the broken downcoal so it can readily pick it up.

Said gathering head may then be fed into the broken down coal byextending the extensible conveyor l5 until all of the coal in front ofsaid gathering head has been loaded out. Said gathering head may then beretractibly moved by retracting the conveyor i5. At the same time thesteering and propelling wheels may be turned at substantially rightangles to the machine frame, to feed the loading machine and gatheringhead laterally to one side or the other, so as to load out the entireworking place, it being understood that during this loading operationthe conveyor I5 is continually extensibly and retractibly moved withrespect to the frame 55, to extend the gathering head [4 into and towithdraw it from the broken down coal.

After the first place has been loaded out and the working face has beenundercut and broken down, the grip blocks 51, 61 may be released fromthe bearing plates 56 and the loading machine may be extended along thereciprocating trough 50, as shown in Figure 4, so as to load out anotherworking place without advancing the swivel i9 and base Iii. When theloading machine has reached the end of the trough 5B, the swivel 19 maybe advanced by inserting another trough in the trough line, or anothertrough may be connected to the trough 50, to further extend the range ofadvance of the machine, it being understood that if the trough 50 isextended by the insertion of another similar trough, that the trough 2|must likewise be extended.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my inventionmay be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof andthe arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to beconstrued as limiting my invention to the specific embodimentillustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

When said reciprocating trough has I claim as my invention:

1. In a face loading machine of the class described, a main frame,wheels for supporting and propelling said main frame in a forward or alatoral direction, an extensible conveyor extending along said framebeyond the forward end thereof, and having gathering devices at itsforward end, means for extending said conveyor for feeding saidgathering devices into the material it is desired to load, and meansconnected with and forming a reaction mean for said loading machine forholding said loading machine from backward movement during extension ofsaid conveyor and gathering devices into th material it is desired toload and for controlling lateral movement of said loading machineincluding a base, means for holding said base in a fixed position on theground, a link, a vertical pivotal connection between said link and saidbase, and an extensible connection between said link and said loadingmachine, permitting said loading machine to be extensibly or retractiblymoved along said link.

2. In a face loading machine of the class described, a main frame,wheels for supporting and propelling said main frame in a forward or alateral direction, an extensible conveyor extending along said framebeyond the forward end thereof and having gathering devices at itsforward end, means for extending said conveyor for feeding saidgathering devices into the material it is desired to load, and meansconnected with and forming a reaction means for said loading machine forholding said loading machine from backward movement during extension ofsaid conveyer and gathering devices into the material it is desired toload and for controlling lateral movement of said loading machineincluding a base, means for holding said base in a fixed position on theground, a link, a vertical pivotal connection between said link and saidbase, and means connecting said link with said loading machine, forholding said loading machine in fixed relation with respect to saidlink, or for permitting said loading machine to be extensibly orretracti-bly moved with respect to said link.

3. In a face loading machine of the class described, a main frame,wheels for supporting and propelling said main frame in a forward or alateral direction, an extensible conveyor extending along said framebeyond the forward end thereof and having gathering devices at itsforward end, means for extending said conveyer for feeding saidgathering devices into the material it is desired to load, and meansconnected with and forming a reaction means for said loading machine forholding said loading machine from backward movement during extension ofsaid conveyer and gathering devices into the material it is desired toload and for controlling lateral movement of said loading machineincluding a base, means for holding said base in a fixed position on theground, a link, a vertical pivotal connection between said link and saidbase, and means connecting said link with said loading machine, forholding said loading machine in fixed relation with respect to saidlink, or for permitting said loading machine to be extensibly orretractibly moved with respect to said link, said means including a pairof friction grip blocks and means selectively operable to hold saidfriction grip blocks in a gripping or rel-eased position.

4. In a face loading machine of the class described, a main frame,wheels for supporting and propelling said main frame in a forward or .13a lateral direction, "an extensible endless conveyer extending alongsaid frame beyond the forward end thereof and having gathering devicesat its forward end, a conveyer extending into the working place andmounted in material receiving relation with respect to said first con-'veyer, means for extending said first conveyor for feeding saidgathering devices into the material it .is desired to load, and meansconnected with and forming a reaction means for said loading machine,for holding said loading machine from backward movement during extensionof said first conveyer and gathering devices into said material and forcontrolling lateral movement of said loading machine, said means alsoforming a slidable guide means for said second conveyer, for holdingsaid second mentioned conveyer in receiving relation with respect to thedischarge end of said first conveyor in all positions of said leading machine with respect to the working place.

'5. In a face loading machine of the class described, amain frame,wheels for supporting and propelling said main frame in a forward or alateral direction, an extensible endless conveyer extending along saidframe beyond the forward end thereof and having gathering devices at theforward end thereof, a conveyor extending into "the working place andmounted in material receiving relation with respect to said first'conveyer, means for extending said first conveyer for feeding saidgathering devices into the material it is desired to load, and meansconnected with and. forming a reaction means for said loading machinefor holding said loading machine from backward movement during extensionof said first conveyor and gathering devices into said material and forcontrolling lateral movement of said loading machine including a base,means for holding said base in a fixed position on the ground, a linkconnected with said loading machine, a vertical pivotal connectionbetween said link and said base, said link also forming a slidablesupport and guiding means for said second conveyor, for holding saidsecond mentioned conveyer in receiving relation with respect to saidfirst conveyer in all positions of said loading machine with respect tothe working place.

6. In a face loading machine of the class described, a main frame,wheels for supporting and propelling said main frame in a forward or alateral direction, an extensible endless conveyer extending along saidframe beyond the forward end thereof, and having gathering devices atits forward end, a conveyor extending into the working place and mountedin material receiving relation with respect to said first conveyer,means for extending said first conveyor for feeding said gatheringdevices into the ma-- terial it is desired to load, and means connectedwith and forming a reaction means for said loading machine for holdingsaid loading machine from backward movement during extension of saidfirst conveyor and gathering devices into said material and forcontrolling lateral movement of said loading machine including a base,means for holding said base in a fixed position on the ground, a linkconnected with said loading machine, a vertical pivotal connection he Itween said link and said base, said link also forming a sli-dable'support-and guiding means for said second conveyor, for holding saidsecond mentioned conveyer in receiving relation with respect to saidfirst conveyor in all positions of iii) saldloading machine withrespectto the "working place, and the connection between said loadingmachine and said link being extensible and being operable to permit saidloading machine to be extended along said link, or to hold said loadingmachine in fixed relation with respect to said link.

7. In a face loading machine of the class described, a main frame,wheels for supporting and propelling said main frame in a forward or alateral direction, an extensible endlessco'nveyer extending along saidframe beyond the forward end thereof and having gathering devices at itsforward end, a conveyor extending into the working place and mounted inmaterial receiving relation with respect to said first conveyer, meansfor extending said first conveyor for feeding said gathering devicesinto the material it is desired to load, and means connected with andforming a reaction means for said loading machine for holding saidloading machine from backward movement during extension of said firstoonveyer and gathering devices into said material and for controllinglateral movement of said loading machine including a base, means forholding said base in a ffixed position on the ground, a link connectedwith said loading machine, a vertical pivotal connection between saidlink and said base, said link also forming a slidable support andguiding means for said second conveyer, for holding said secondmentioned conveyer in receiving relation with respect to said firstconveyer in all positions of said first conveyer with respect to theworking place, and the connection between said loading machine and saidlink being extensible .and being operable to permit said loading machineto be extended along said link, or to hold said loading machine in fixedrelation with respect to said link, and including a pair of frictiongrip blocks manually controllable to hold said loading machine in fixedrelation with respect to said link, or to release said loading machinefor movement along said link.

8. In a face loading machine of the class described, a main frame, frontsteering wheels for propelling said main frame in a longitudinal orlateral direction, rear idler wheels for said main frame, said rearidler wheels being mounted for free movement about vertical axes toconform to the paths of said steering wheels during movement of themachine in a longitudinal Or a lateral direction, and means for turningsaid front wheels for steering, said means being operable to turn saidfront wheels in opposite directions to positions to propel said mainframe laterally and to hold said front wheels in such positions, andincluding a lever arm connected with each of said front wheels, and anextensible tie rod connected between aid lever arms, said tie rodincluding a laterally movable fluid. pressure cylinder, a rod extensiblefrom each end of said cylinder, said rods having operative connectionwith said lever arms, and fluid pressure means for extending said rodswith respect to said cylinder for turning said front wheels in oppositedirections to laterally extended positions and holding said. wheelsin'such positions, and for retracting said rods within said cylinder andpositively holding said rods in such positions to move with saidcylinder upon lateral movement thereof, for steering the'machine.

9. In a face loading machine of the class de scribed, a main frame,front ste'ering-wh els for propelling said main frame a longitudinal "ora lateral direction, rear idler wheels for said main frame, said rearidler wheels being mounted for free movement about vertical axes, to

conform to the paths of said steering wheels during movement of themachine in a longitudinal or a lateral direction, and means for turningsaid front wheels for steering, said means being operable to turn saidfront wheels in opposite directions to positions to propel said mainframe laterally and to hold said front wheels in such positions, andincluding a lever arm connected with each of said front wheels forturning said wheels, a separate rod connected with each of said leverarms, a cylinder having said rods guided therein for extensible movementwith respect thereto, a drag link for moving said cylinder laterally,fluid pressure means for positively holding said rods in a retractedposition with respect to said cylinder to steer the machine when saidcylinder is moved laterally by said drag link and for extending saidrods from said cylinder and holding said rods in extended positions withrespect to said cylinder, for moving said front wheels into and forholding said wheels in a laterally extended position with respect tosaid main frame.

10. In a face loadin machine of the class described, a main frame, frontsteering wheels for propelling said main frame in a longitudinal or alateral direction, rear idler wheels for said main frame, said rearidler wheels being mounted for free movement about vertical axes toconform to the paths of said steering wheels during movement of themachine in a longitudinal or a lateral dierction, and means for turningsaid front wheels for steering, said means being operable to turn saidfront wheels to a position to propel said main frame laterally and tohold said front wheels in such a position, and including a lever armconnected with each of said front wheels for turning said Wheels, anextensible tie rod connected between said lever arms, for turning saidfront wheels to extend laterally of the machine by extension of said tierod, said tie rod including a fluid pressure cylinder disposedintermediate said lever arms, a piston rod connected with each of saidlever arms, said piston rods extending within opposite ends of saidcylinder and having connection with separate pistons therein, and a portentering said cylinder intermediate the ends thereof, for admittingfluid under pressure to an intermediate portion thereof, to extend saidpiston rods from opposite ends thereof, and to hold said piston rods inan extended position with respect to said cylinder.

11. In a face loading machine of the class described, a main frame,front steering wheels for propelling said main frame in a longitudinalor a lateral direction, rear idler wheels for said main frame, said rearidler wheels being mounted for free movement about vertical axes toconform to the paths of said steering Wheels during movement of themachine in a longitudinal or a lateral direction, and means for turningsaid front wheels for steering, said means being operable to turn saidfront wheels to a position to propel said main frame laterally and tohold said front wheels in such a position, and including a lever armconnected with each of said front wheels for turning said wheels, anextensible tie rod connected between said lever arms, for turning saidfront wheels to extend laterally of the machine by extension of said tierod, said tie rod including a fluid pressure cylinder disposed inter- Vmediatesaid lever arms, a piston rod connected with each of said leverarms, said piston rods extending within opposite ends of said cylinderand having connection with separate pistons therein, a port in aidcylinder, for admitting fluid under pressure to an intermediate portionthereof to extend said piston rods from opposite ends thereof, and tohold said piston rods in an extended position with respect to saidcylinder, ports in opposite ends of said cylinders to admit fluid underpressure therein to retract said piston rods within said cylinders andto hold said piston rods in a retracted position, and means for movingsaid cylinder laterally to eifect steering through said piston rods.

12. In a face loading apparatus particularly adapted to load loosematerial onto a shaker conveyer trough line and in combination with aswivel connected with the inlay end of a shaker conveyer trough line andhaving a reciprocating trough communicating therewith and mounted forlateral swinging movement with respect to said trough line, a stationarybase, a wheel mounted face loading apparatus mounted for movement alongthe ground and including a frame with wheels for supporting said frame,said frame having said reciprocating trough slidably mounted thereon toextend between the rear supporting wheels for said frame, and meanspivotally connecting said loading apparatus with said base, to causesaid base to form a reaction means for said loading apparatus and tocontrol lateral movement of said loading apparatus.

13. In a face loading apparatus particularly adapted to load loosematerial onto a shaker conveyer trough line and in combination with aswivel connected with the inby end of a shaker conveyer trough line, astationary base for said swivel, a reciprocating trough communicatingwith and connected to said swivel for lateral movement with respect tosaid trough line, a face loading apparatus mounted for longitudinalmovement and for lateral swinging movement with respect to said base andincluding a longitudinally extending conveyer having gathering devicesat its receiving end, and having said reciprocating trough slidablymounted beneath said conveyer in material receiving relation withrespect thereto, means pivotally connecting said loading apparatus tosaid base for movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis forcausing aid loading apparatus to move laterally in a controlled path,and means permitting said loading apparatus to be extensibly orretractibly moved along said connecting means and reciprocating trough,and for holding said loading apparatus in fixed relation with respect tosaid swivel during loading, said means forming a guide means for holdingsaid trough in material receiving relation with respect to said conveyerin all positions of movement of said loading apparatus with respect tosaid base.

14. In a loading apparatus particularly adapted to load loose materialonto a shaker conveyer trough line having a swivel at its inby end, astationary base for said swivel, a reciprocating trough extending fromsaid swivel nd connected therewith for lateral movement with respect tosaid trough line, a face loading apparatus adapted to movelongitudinally and laterally with respect to said swivel and including amain frame, wheels for supporting said frame, a longitudinallyextensible endless conveyer extending along said main frame, gatheringdevices at the receiving end of said conveyer, for picking up materialfrom the ground and loading it onto said conveyer, saidreciprocatingtrough beingslidably guided in said main-frame, between thewheel thereof, and means extensibly connectedwith said loadingVapparatus and pivotally connected with said 'base for'controllinglateral swing'ingmovement of said loading apparatus and for permittingsaid loading apparatus to be extensibly or retractibly moved withrespect tosaid reciprocating trough, said means dorming :a longitudinalguide means for said reciprocating trough.

15. Ina-loading apparatus particularlyadapted to load loosematerial ontoa a shaker conveyer trough line-havinga swivel at itslinby end, astationary basefor said swivel a reciprocating troughextending from saidswivel andconnected therewith for lateral movement with :respect to saidtrough line, :a wheelmounted face loading apparatus including -a mainframe-front traction and steering wheels formoving said loadingapparatusin a longitudinal or alateral direction with respect to aworkingwplaca-adongitudin'ally ilextensibl'e co-nveyer extending alongsaid main frame, gathering devices for picking up material from theground-andlloading it onto the receiving end of said conveyer, means formounting said reciprocating trough on said main frame, for.slidablemovementbeneath the discharge end of said conveyer andforholding said reciprocating trough in receiving relation with respect tosaid conveyer in all positions I of said oading apparatus with respectL130 said iswivl,

'edtoloadloosematerial onto ashaker conveyer troughline having'aswivelat its inby end, a stationary .lbase for said swivel, a reciprocating"trough connected therewith for lateral movement with respect to*sa'id'trough line, a wheel mounted face loading apparatus including :a'

mainframe, front traction and steeringwheels for moving said loadingapparatus and main frame in a longitudinal or a lateral direction withrespect to a working place, and a longitudinally extensible conveyerextending along said main frame, gathering devices at the receiving endof said conveyer for picking up material from the ground and loading itonto said conveyer, means for positively extending said conveyer bypower to feed said gathering devices into the material it is desired toload, means for mounting said reciprocating trough for slidable movementbeneath the discharge end of said conveyer and for supporting saidreciprocating trough in receiving relation with respect to said conveyerin all positions of said loading apparatus with respect to said swivel,said means extending along said reciprocating trough and having verticalpivotal connection with said base, for controlling lateral movement ofsaid loading apparatus, said means also forming a reaction means forsaid loading apparatus for holding said loading apparatus from backwardmovement during extension of said conveyer and gatheringdevices into thematerial it is desired to'load.

.17. "In aloadingapparatu's particularly adap'ted to loa'dloose material-onto "a shaker conveyer trough line having a""swivel"at its 'inby*en'd,-"a stationarybase for said swivel, a reciprocating troughextending from .saidswivel andcon'nected therewith for lateral movementwith respect 'to saidtrou'gh line 'about the axis of said swivelya wheelmounted face loadingapparatus including amain framaf'fronttraction andsteering wheels for moving said loading apparatus and fmain frame in alongitudinal or a lateral direction with respect to .aworking place; anda longitudinally extensible ic'onveyer extending along said mainframaogather'ing devices at the receiving end of said :conveyer forpicking up 'materi'al from the ground and loading I itonto saidconveyer, means for ipositively extending said conveyer by power to feedsaid gathering devicesinto the materialgit .is -,desired (to load, meansfor mounting-said reciprocating trough for slidable movement beneath thedischarge endotsaid conveyer and for supporting said reciprocatingtrough in receiving relation *with respect -to=said conveyer in-allpositions of said loading apparatus with rospect to said swivel, saidmeans extendingalong:saidreciprocating:troughandhaving vertical gpivotalconnection with said base for controlling lateral :movement of saidloading apparatus, said "means also forming :-a :reaction means :forsaid loading apparatus for holding said loading apparatus :from backwardmovie ment during extension or "said conveyer and gathering :devicesinto "the a material it is desired to load, :and .ameans controllable atthe "will "of the 'ioperator for holding said :loading apparatus infixed relation with (respect "to :said means or for permitting: saidi-loading apparatus ito -exten- J siblyrmove along said means.

vey'er extending along said main frame {beyond the forward end thereof,gathering devices at the for-wardend or said conveyer "for .picking u'ploose material from the ground and moving it 'ont'osai'd conveyer, powermeans for extending said conveyer for feeding said gathering device'sinto-the materi-alfitis desirdtblo'adJa -bas'eiplate spaced -rearwardlyof 'sai'd main frame and adapted to be anchored to the ground and heldfrom movement with respect thereto, said wheels having lever armsinterconnected by tie rod means which is bodily shiftable transverselyof the machine, steering means operatively connected with the wheels andtie rod assembly for swinging the wheels concurrently in the samedirection, means for varying the length of said tie rod means between afirst length to dispose the wheels substantially parallel to oneanotherfor steering during tramming and a second length to dispose said wheelsfor rotation about axes extending in the direction of said base plate,means pivotally connecting said base plate with said main frame forholding said loading machine from backward movement during extension ofsaid conveyer and gathering devices into the material it is desired toload and forming a means for controlling movement of said loadingmachine when propelled in a lateral direction about said base plate bysaid wheels.

19. In a face loading apparatus of the class de- 19 scribed, a conveyeradapted to extend into the working place of a mine, a stationary base, awheel mounted face loading apparatus mounted for lateral movement withrespect to said base and including a frame with wheels for supportingand propelling said frame in a forward or a lateral direction, alongitudinally extending endless conveyer having gathering devices atits receiving end, a slidable connection between said first conveyer andsaid frame, slidably connecting said first conveyer to said frame inmaterial receiving relation with respect to said second conveyer, and apivotal connection between said frame and said base adapted to hold saidloading apparatus for lateral movement about said base in a controlledpath, and forming a reaction means for said loading apparatus, duringcrowding of said gathering devices into the material it is desired toload, by extension of said second conveyer.

20. In a face loading apparatus of the class described, a conveyeradapted to extend into the working place of a mine and having alaterally movable receiving end, a stationary base, a face loadingapparatus straddling said laterally movable receiving end of saidconveyer and including a frame with wheels for supporting and steeringsaid frame, a longitudinally extensible conveyer extending along saidframe beyond the forward end thereof and having gathering devices at itsreceiving end, a slidable connection between said frame and thereceiving end of said first conveyer, slidably guiding said firstconveyer in material receiving relation with respect to said secondconveyer, and said slidable connection between said frame and said firstconveyer including a link vertically pivoted to said base and adapted tohold said loading apparatus for lateral movement about said base in acontrolled path, and with said base forming a reaction means for saidloading apparatus during crowding of said gathering devices into thematerial it is desired to load, by extension of said second conveyer.

21. In a face loading apparatus of the class described, a conveyeradapted to extend into the working place of a mine and having alaterally movable receiving end, a stationary base, a face loadingapparatus straddling said laterally movable receiving end of saidconveyer and including a frame with wheels for supporting and steeringsaid frame, a longitudinally extensible conveyer extending along saidframe beyond the forward end thereof and having gathering devices at 120 its receiving end, a slidable connection between said frame and thereceiving end of said first conveyer, slidably guiding said firstconveyer in material receiving relation with respect to said secondconveyer, said slidable connection between said frame and said firstconveyer including a link vertically pivoted to said base and adapted tohold said loading apparatus for lateral movement about said base in acontrolled path, and an extensible connection between said loadingapparatus and said frame, permitting movement of said loading apparatusalong said frame and said first conveyer, said extensible connectionincluding yieldable connective means adapted to hold said loadingapparatus to said frame during normal gathering operation of saidapparatus, whereby said frame, link and base form reaction means forsaid loading apparatus during crowding of said gathering devices intothe material it is desired to load, by extension of said secondconveyer.

ROY S. BIGELOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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